Street Healing Ministry: 6 Powerful Encounters Including a Murderer Who Met Jesus

This night of street healing ministry in Winnipeg was one of the most powerful we have ever experienced. From a woman healed of arthritis who threw away her cane, to a confessed murderer who gave his heart to Jesus, God moved in extraordinary ways. Here are 6 encounters from this unforgettable night of street healing ministry at Portage Place and beyond.

1. The Holy Spirit Falls at Zion Church

I had been in Winnipeg running errands and arrived at the Zion Church a little early. There were two others there and after a short visit we began to worship, listening to “No Longer Slaves to Fear.” While I prayed I became aware of the Holy Spirit falling heavy on me. In tears I was moved to my knees, and Alyssa under the heavy influence of the Holy Spirit worshipped laying prostrate on the floor.

By the time the song was over, several others had joined us in worship. Alyssa said she sensed the Spirit was moving powerfully in our midst, and she invited each of us to pray out loud. Several dynamic prayers were spoken praising Jesus and inviting Him to glorify His name on the streets. I was led to pray for divine appointments — that Jesus would lead us to people He wanted us to encounter. I left for Portage Place feeling expectant and very confident that this was going to be another special night of street healing ministry.

2. First Nations Musicians at Portage Place

While we were waiting for everyone to arrive at Portage Place, a few of us approached a First Nations group sitting along the stone planters near the back door. One man had a guitar and called himself the Elvis of the North. Lorraine recognized him as the man who had harassed us on May 5th, only tonight he was more sober and wasn’t wearing a talisman.

We had a fun time with them. They played us some songs and sang, and one of the guitar players showed me the tattoos on the backs of his arms — the right arm said “Jesus” and the left arm said “Saves.” Lorraine bonded with one of the ladies who was from Pukatawagan. One of the members in the group stood out to me. He was a little older, appeared more sober, was quieter than the rest, and he walked with a cane. We didn’t know it at the time, but we would be encountering him again.

3. Peter: Prayer for a Man in a Wheelchair

In the Food Court we approached a man in a wheelchair named Peter. His hair was matted, his hands and arms were very dirty, and his clothing was covered in stains. Although he was easy to talk to, he appeared very nervous as his eyes were constantly shifting in all directions. He said he was in pain and had a bad knee, and he agreed to having us pray for him.

After prayer, we asked him to move his leg and see if it was any better, but he said it wasn’t. He then showed us his lower leg that had a huge red sore on his shin. He said it was a result of a broken leg that didn’t heal right, and we prayed for that too, but didn’t notice any change. We blessed him with kind words and moved on. Not every street healing ministry encounter results in visible change, but we always leave people feeling loved.

4. Erica: Arthritis Healed, Cane Thrown Away

Near the A&W kiosk I noticed a First Nations lady with a cane. I told her I wanted to talk to her, but would wait until she had eaten. While our group was contemplating who we would talk to next, I heard a quiet voice behind me saying, “You can talk to me now.”

Her name was Erica, and she was from Oxford House, having come to Winnipeg for an appointment about her leg. In her right leg she had severe arthritis from the knee down. She said the pain was only an 8 because she had recently taken pain killers — usually it was a constant 10.

We took authority over the arthritis and healed her in Jesus’ name, and the pain dropped to a 4. Then we prayed again and the pain was completely gone. She got up and walked around without her cane, without a limp, and without any pain. Her sister Eva, who had joined us, was so happy for Erica. Erica hugged us over and over again. This was one of the most powerful moments of street healing ministry we’ve experienced.

She then asked us to pray for her sister Eva who was having bad dreams. While Lorraine and Candice prayed and released Eva from spirits causing bad dreams, Mel and I continued to talk to Erica. She told us about the pain in her heart — her husband was an alcoholic, she had lost a daughter, had just buried her grandfather, and was hoping to be reunited with a 17-year-old daughter on her way back home. We prayed for all of those circumstances.

5. A Bold Challenge: Jesus vs. the Healing Hut

As we were leaving, I noticed the man with the cane from the First Nations group earlier. He was heading toward the park. I asked him why he needed a cane. He said he had a bad hip with a lot of pain but didn’t know what was wrong with it.

When I asked if we could pray for his hip, he told us we were doing it all wrong. He said the way to healing was to call the elders, go to the healing hut, and bring tobacco, and if you’re open you can see the spirits in the room.

I then made a bold statement that even surprised me. At that moment I had a vision of Elijah on the mountain during the standoff with the false prophets, and I said, “If you let us pray for you right now, Jesus will heal your hip.” This is exactly the kind of situation that brings Jesus glory in our street healing ministry.

6. A Confessed Murderer Receives Jesus

As we prayed for his hip, the pain reduced significantly. But what happened next was even more remarkable. Through our conversation, he opened up about his past. He confessed that he had committed murder. The weight of that guilt had been crushing him for years.

Through the love of Jesus shown through our team, and the power of the Gospel demonstrated through healing prayer, this man’s heart was softened. He gave his heart to Jesus right there. A confessed murderer, walking with a cane, encountered the living God through a simple act of street healing ministry.

This is why we do what we do. Not every night looks like this. Some nights are quiet. But when God moves, He moves powerfully — healing bodies, setting people free, and saving souls.

Get Involved in Street Ministry

If these stories of street healing ministry inspire you, we encourage you to step out in faith. Read about more of our street ministry encounters and discover the power of the Gospel that makes it all possible. You can also learn about the true meaning of eternal life that motivates us to go to the streets.

As Luke 19:10 says, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Street healing ministry carries that mission to every person — including those society has written off. More at JesusHeals.ca.